India : Off Grid Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power

Nonsovereign Project | 46931-014

Off Grid Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power

Flickr photos from the 46931-014: Off Grid Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power Project in India album.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Singh, Samarendra
    Private Sector Operations Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    India
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name Off Grid Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power
Project Number 46931-014
Borrower / Company OFF-GRID PAY-AS-YOU-GO SOLAR PROJ SIMPA NETWORKS
Country / Economy India
Location Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, State of Andhra Pradesh, State of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Type or Modality of Assistance
7381 Equity Ordinary capital resources USD 2.00 million Closed
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar

Gender
Responsible ADB Department Private Sector Operations Department
Responsible ADB Division Portfolio Management Division, PSOD
Responsible ADB Officer Singh, Samarendra
Project Sponsor(s)
Description Off Grid Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power
Objectives and Scope

Simpa Networks provides simple, affordable and accessible solar energy to underserved consumers in India using a proprietary metering and payment system based on short messaging service (SMS) using mobile phones. The metering solution can be embedded in standalone products such as solar home systems (SHS) and can also be used by micro grid developers as a flexible metering, customer and revenue management solution.

The investment will contribute to increased access to electricity in rural India. Although not being measured, increased access to electricity will result in improved education, health and productivity outcomes. Access to electricity enables children to study beyond sunset and replacement of smoky fuels such as kerosene with clean solar energy improves air quality, thereby improving respiratory health of household members. Access to electricity also improves productivity and contributes to increasing rural household incomes. Successful implementation of the project across India will offer opportunities for replication across DMCs. The investment is also expected to have a positive demonstration effect leading to increased private equity and venture capital funding for off grid energy services in India.

Status of Development Objectives The project is currently under implementation.
Status of Operation/Construction The project is currently under implementation.
Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Access to energy for all is an important pillar of ADB's Energy Policy. Maximizing access to energy for economic and social development under its Energy for All Initiative is part of ADB's inclusive growth strategy. The Energy for All Initiative aims to share knowledge and to identify and scale up successful models that will bring energy to the poor across Asia. On the regional level, the Energy for All Initiative is supporting a new regional partnershipthe Energy for All Partnership. Through the collective effort of partners, the Energy for All Partnership aims to extend access to energy to an additional 100 million people in Asia and the Pacific by 2015. The investment is also directly aligned with ADB's Asia Solar Energy Initiative, which aims to help develop, finance, and commission 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation capacity including off grid projects, in DMCs by May 2013.
Safeguard Categories
Environment C
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The Investment is classified as category C for impacts on the environment, involuntary resettlement, and indigenous peoples. The company's business activities have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts, and are unlikely to entail impacts on involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples. Simpa Networks will ensure that investments using ADB funds abide by applicable national laws and regulations.
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation
Concept Clearance 07 Aug 2012
Credit Committee Meeting 12 Nov 2012
Approval 15 Jan 2013
PDS Creation Date 10 Aug 2012
Last PDS Update 10 Jan 2019

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

Title Document Type Document Date
Maximizing Access to Energy for the Poor in Developing Asia Brochures and Flyers Dec 2013
Affordable Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power for India's Energy-Poor Homes Papers and Briefs Aug 2013

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

  • 17 Sep 2013 | Article

    India Solar Power: Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power

    Flexible, prepaid metering makes solar power affordable in rural India. ADB is investing in this simple yet radical solution, which can be applied in other parts of the region.